Title | Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the chest wall masquerading as medullary breast carcinoma: a case report. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2006 |
Authors | Sharma P, Jain S, Nigam S, Bahadur AKumar, Ouseph MMicheal |
Journal | Acta Cytol |
Volume | 50 |
Issue | 5 |
Pagination | 577-80 |
Date Published | 2006 Sep-Oct |
ISSN | 0001-5547 |
Keywords | Antineoplastic Agents, Biomarkers, Tumor, Biopsy, Fine-Needle, Breast, Breast Neoplasms, Carcinoma, Medullary, Coloring Agents, Diagnosis, Differential, Diagnostic Errors, Female, Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous, Humans, Immunohistochemistry, Middle Aged, Radiotherapy, Thoracic Wall, Tomography, X-Ray Computed |
Abstract | BACKGROUND: Cytologic diagnosis of malignant fibrous histiocytoma can be problematic, as these neoplasms are known to mimic multiple other conditions. CASE: A fine needle aspirate from a 60-year-old woman was diagnosed at 2 institutions as medullary carcinoma of the breast. The patient received neo-adjuvant chemoradiotherapy before the tumor war excised. Gross pathologic examination and histomorphology on routine staining were compatible with the cytologic diagnosis. The accurate diagnosis of pleomorphic-storiform-type malignant fibrous histiocytoma was a surprise and was established with immunocytochemical stains. In retrospect, it was thought that clinical and radiologic overlap, creating a high index of suspicion for a breast neoplasm and compounding the cytologic appearance of a medullary carcinoma with spindle cell metaplasia and syncytial cells, was responsible for the error. CONCLUSION: This case highlights a potential cytodiagnostic pitfall and the importance of establishing a definitive tissue diagnosis in the face of equivocal cytologic findings. |
DOI | 10.1159/000326020 |
Alternate Journal | Acta Cytol |
PubMed ID | 17017451 |
Related Faculty:
Madhu Ouseph, M.D., Ph.D.